So, life has been happening and I have been crazy busy with living it. Unfortunately, my consistency with blogging has suffered but I am here to get you all caught up.

I got a fill about a month ago and then ended up at the hospital the next day because my band had been over-filled and I couldn’t ingest anything; not even liquids and barely air. That was a bit scary. I was afraid to eat for the next few days and sustained myself on protein shakes and soft foods. I got back to a regular diet but didn’t have nearly the loss that I usually do after a fill. I was OK with it though because I was fearful about getting any fluid put back in. When I went for my fill for the month (Tues 5/2), I managed to lose -3lbs for the month which isn’t as much as the 7-11lbs I should have lost but was more than I had expected so I was good. I was super nervous about it but I got my fill. I took it easy and went back to my liquid prep diet for a couple of days and things seems to be alright this time. I did my weigh-in on Friday, as usual and was down by -10lbs from the previous week. Woohoo!!!

What else is new? Tomi and I took an impromptu trip to the Oregon coast (Newport, OR) last weekend to see her cousin who is currently stationed there. Her cousin Ava works for NOAA and is a Crew Chief for them. They haven’t seen one another for over 40yrs. It was a short visit but it was fun playing catch up. We’re planning a trip to Mobile, AL to see Ava and even more family sometime during the holidays.

Ava, Me, Tomi

What else is new? We’ve started house hunting. When we came here originally, our plan was to be here temporarily. Here we are 12yrs later; it’s time to put down some roots. We got pre-qualified for a home loan and our realtor has been on the hunt ever since. It is definitely a seller’s market right now. Houses are sold almost as quickly as they are listed. So much so that we have only gotten to look at two houses. The first one we looked at was nice. It was built in the 40s and definitely needed some work but it was a good house. Our realtor had us look at another home yesterday evening and we like it so much that we withdrew our offer on the first house and put an offer on this one. It’s smaller than what we wanted and it will need a little TLC as well but I fell in love as soon as I walked in the door. If all goes according to plan (God’s and ours) we will be homeowners by the time our birthday’s roll around at the end of June. That will be an amazing birthday present!!

Otherwise, we have just been working and living. I will get with you guys after weigh-in on Friday and I will try to do better with being consistent (y’all pray for me on that one)

I’m feeling stuck…again. My weight this week was exactly the same as last week. That was a little deflating but I’ll take that over having a gain. I’m going to have to be more consistent about hitting the gym and eat way more veggies and a few less carbs.

This weekend, I posted a pic of me in my Mickey Mouse leggings. Two body shots in as many weeks? I’m feeling myself! I love them and felt like I look ok in them. It’s an extremely vulnerable place to be in for me, sharing myself. I find that in my vulnerability, there is strength. Luckily, I have an amazing support system which helps when I need a bit of shoring up.

I got to visit my home town this weekend. I got to see my parents and our youngest daughter (She just turned 26 on 1/23). I miss them so much so it also makes me feel ‘full’ to see them and be around them.

I also got to see cousins and countless others I have known my entire life who’ve become ‘family’. I’m glad we have our life in the the Tri-Cities and for all the ‘framily’ (friends that are like family) we’ve gained over the past 12yrs but there’s no place like home.

I’ve got a little bit of catching up to do. I have been out living life and making memories and I missed a week.

8/26/16-I did not lose any weight. I think it was a combination of things but a big factor is that it was the beginning of my menstrual week. My body has always betrayed me during that time. I bloat, swell and retain water like nobody’s business.

9/2/16-I lost -2lbs. Not as much as I was hoping for but I will take it. I was still suffering from symptoms of my “lady time” so I was surprised to have any loss at all. I was able to introduce pureed food into my diet this week. That has been tough. There are things that I want to eat because I can but I am not supposed to have them. I am really wanting some mashed potatoes and gravy or mac and cheese. I’ve been being good though and sticking to things on my food list…mostly.

I didn’t do any planned exercise this past couple of weeks but the wife and I have been doing lots of travelling and I have been getting plenty of walking in playing tourist so I have definitely not been sedentary. Our most recent trip was this past weekend. We took an impromptu trip up to Crystal Mountain (Enumclaw, WA) and rode a gondola up the mountain and did some light hiking. It was FREEZING up there but lots of fun.

I am so behind on my blogging!! There’s been a lot going on with work because my work mate was out for almost two weeks which doubled my work load. So lately, after sitting in front of one for 12+hrs for work, when I get home the last thing I want to do is look at a computer screen. Anyway, she’s back so hopefully my days can get back to some sense of MY normal.

Okay…this week’s list.

LIST THE HAPPIEST MOMENTS OF YOUR LIFE SO FAR.

1.) The day I gave birth to my daughter. I was excited to get to spend her 25th birthday with her. I picked her up in the morning and we made a day of it. We had breakfast and then just spent the day hanging out and catching up.

2.) The day I met Tomi

3.) My wedding day!!!

4.) The day we found out my mom was in remission. Cancer sucks!!

5.) The first time that my dad let me sing the national anthem (The Star-Spangled Banner) at the Tacoma Golden Gloves. I have been doing it for about 15yrs now.

6.) At age 15, my daughter was in a horrible car accident. She was in a coma for two weeks. When she woke up, that was one of the happiest moments of my life.

7.) Tomi and and the kids taking me to Disneyland for Christmas (2007)

8.) Our honeymoon in to Hawaii

9.) The birthday trips we took to Vegas (2007) and New Orleans (2014).

September by Earth, Wind & Fire is a great song. Who knew that this song, written and released before I was born, would become the anthem of my love and a theme song for one of my happiest days?
Twelve years ago, on this day, I met the woman who would become the love of my life. We have been together since that day. Tomi & I are like opposite sides of the same coin and we couldn’t be more perfect for one another. Three years ago, I started planning a commitment ceremony for us. During that year, my state pulled their heads out of their ass and made same-sex marriage legal, and our commitment ceremony planning became wedding planning. On this day, two years ago (10yrs after the day we met), I got to marry my best friend. It was an amazing day of celebration shared with our family and friends. I would do it all exactly the same every year if I could. So, in celebration of our anniversary, I will share the lyrics to a great song and pictures from my wedding. Because… LOVE!

September – Earth, Wind & Fire

Do you remember the 21st night of September?

Love was changing the minds of pretenders

While chasing the clouds away

Our hearts were ringing

In the key that our souls were singing.

As we danced in the night,

Remember how the stars stole the night away

Ba de ya, say do you remember
Ba de ya, dancing in September

Ba de ya, never was a cloudy day

Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya
Ba de ya de ya de ya de ya

My thoughts are with you
Holding hands with your heart to see you

Only blue talk and love,
Remember how we knew love was here to stay

Now December found the love that we shared in September.
Only blue talk and love,
Remember the true love we share today

Ba de ya, say do you remember
Ba de ya, dancing in September

Ba de ya, never was a cloudy day

Ba de ya, say do you remember
Ba de ya, dancing in September

Ba de ya, golden dreams were shinny days

Love bells was ringing
Our souls were singing
Do you remember, never a cloudy day

Then, there was my wife’s birthday! She got her motorcycle endorsement for her birthday.

Then, my birthday came! I am serious when I say that I think it should be a national holiday. I look forward to it every year; the higher the number, the bigger the blessing.

This is 39!

There were so many birthday activities and I was so full of joy! First, my friends Mel & Lee did a birthday karaoke shindig for me a few other of my cancerian friends. Shenanigans were abundant!

Me & Nat Pack! Her birthday is the day before mine.

MJ doing her thing

Aleena Bobeena!

Jennifer & Roman came to hang out with me

Carissa

We had quite a time considering it was a Thursday night.

Friday night, my honey took me to are Floetry; one of my favorite duos. It was their reunion tour and I was so here for it!

I was too excited and too into dancing and singing along to get many good pics but we had a blast!
The next day, we went on a steam train adventure with the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railway. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the rail and lumber history of the west aide of our state.

Me with the conductors.Tomi & the conductorsPlaying tourist

We had such a great weekend and a great month! I can hardly wait until next year.

Last weekend I was in Tacoma again. My little cousin and his wife are having their first baby and I went for the baby shower. She’s a radiant mother-to-be!

Me, Daisha and baby Giselle who is due two days after my birthday.

I decided to stay in town over night and invited my baby girl to spend the night with me. We did a bit of shopping and then stayed up late talking and eating junk food and of course, there was some silliness.